Moving from Dell2405FPW to LCD TV

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I currently am using a Dell 2405FPW for Xbox360 gaming (via component cable at 1080i) and am also using this panel with a SFF PC, which I run XP Pro at the native 1920x1020 and do some occasional but very rare pc gaming. I am thinking about getting a 32" LCD TV as a replacement for the Dell. Basically a bigger screen for gaming on my 360 would be the primary reason, and secondly it would act as my main viewing source for TV/DVD's in the bedroom instead of the 32" widescreen 100hz Sony monstrosity I have at the moment.

I have a couple of concerns though :

I am used to browsing at 1920x1200 and the odd pc game at a reasonably high res using an X1600XT. The LCD TV res is 1366x768, so not even close, and I am not even sure if XP supports this res to begin with. And then there is the question if XP will be very usable at such a low res ?

2nd concern is Xbox 360 gaming and lack of 1080i/p support. I realise most games are rendered internally at 720p (* some lower like PGR3 *), and rescaled by the 360 to suit your monitor. However with the LCD TV, there will still be some scaling as it's native res. is 1366x768 and 720p is 1280x720.

My Dell monitor on the other hand has a native res. of 1920x1200, and with my Xbox 360 set to 1080i (1920x1080), and either aspect or 1:1 selected in the OSD, the aspect ratio is perfect and there is minimum borders. Plus I believe some games like COD2 (and hopefully future games) are rendered at 1080i anyway, and they look superb on my monitor. Personally I cannot tell the difference yet between progressive and interlaced on the current games, but it's nice to be able to run at 1920x1080 and keep everything looking right. And then there is the PS3 which will have 1080p support which again the Dell will support.

Btw, I know there is a lot of talk out there about the 2405FPW being able to support HD which Dell say it does not. In particular I have read on forums wherepeople say it is limited to 480p output which is then upscaled. I haven't seen proof of this and side by side comparisons at 720p between the Dell and a friends LCD TV show the quality is up to standard too, at least in my opinion.

So should I keep what I have ? Or get the 32" LCD TV ?
 
if you need more viewable space the 32" might do, especially as a tv where res is less inportant. as a gaming monitor you will get a bigger image but less refined.

i think the 32" native res is a 16:9 res not a 16:10 res which you might be used to. another thing is XP to my knowledge has nothing to do with supporting resolutions. this is completely down to the capablilties of your monitor and graphics card.

i think to truly support HD you have to have a HD compliant connector. perhaps a compromise if you have the cash would be the dell 30"
 
Doh....I meant to ask if the ATI driver supports that 1366x768 res. Anyway, I think the desktop image might look pants at that res. Another thing is the 30" LCD that Dell brought out seems to have lost a lot of connectivity features, and I don't see component inputs on the list, which is what I would need for the 360 since it doesn't support a digital connection. I have also read a few reviews that mention 26 or 27" LCD TV's give the best pixel interpolation and 32" sets and above are not there yet. 27" with a res of only 1366x768 seems a bit of a stepdown for me. There, I have convinced myself to stick with what I have :)